“Keith used his work as a tool for organizations to raise money, to raise awareness and to disrupt society norms.”

A new way for kids (and adults!) to learn about the life, work and philosophy of Keith Haring, one of the most beloved queer artists of the twentieth century, is here ― and it’s stunning.

Keith Haring: The Boy Who Just Kept Drawing, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, has been a labor of love for Kay A. Haring, Keith’s sister, for over a decade. She told The Huffington Post she has long wanted to do a project like this to honor her late brother and finally found the encouragement to finish the book after joining a writer’s group.

“The actual content of the story was easy to write about. I wanted to give children an example of his generosity and his easy going, fun-loving personality,” she said. “There were dozens of scenarios I could choose from where he gave away his artwork or his time to benefit others. Over the years there were a few situations that stood out to me as hallmarks of Keith’s dedication and his care for other people. The difficult part of a story like this is to edit it down to a reasonable length.”

Book description: This stand-out picture book biography follows iconic artist Keith Haring from his days doodling in his childhood home to his meteoric rise as one the most influential artists of the late ’70s and ’80s. Written by Keith’s younger sister Kay, this biography sheds light on Keith’s great humanity, his concern for children, and his disregard for the establishment art world. Featuring reproductions of Keith’s signature artwork throughout, this is a story to inspire, and a book for Haring fans of all ages to treasure.